Brave Blackbird Pictured Hitching A Ride On Eagle's Back In California

Blackbird mimics wily weasel who rode woodpecker to fame.

Like most commuters, this red-winged blackbird clearly just couldn’t be bothered to get to its destination by its own means.

Instead, it hitched a ride on this American bald eagle, whose wing span is three times wider - stretching up to 7.5ft (90 inches) - meaning it could speed the smaller bird to its location much quicker.

Thinh Bui / mediadrumworld.com

The red-winged blackbird casually catches a ride on the back of the American bald eagle in California

The eagle could have eaten its passenger, but soaring through the ED R Levin National Park in California, the bird of prey didn’t seem to bothered by its brave hitchhiker.

The amazing picture was captured by software specialist Thinh Bui.

In March last year a picture showing an even more unlikely duo in flight caused considerable amusement - it involved a wily weasel and a far less willing participant.